Fire-damaged building may still be redeveloped

A two-alarm fire ravages the Industrial Belting & Supply Co. building on March 20, 2013.

2013 Knoxville News Sentinel

Despite a two-alarm fire at the Industrial Belting & Supply Building, on Depot Avenue, its owners are hoping a planned redevelopment of the structure can still go forward.

Mark Heinz, a partner in the project, said the property actually consisted of multiple adjacent buildings, which were insured.

Firefighters have already done extensive demolition work, and Heinz said the owners had not yet been able to assess the condition of the remaining structures.

But he added that “if there’s a building remaining, we will absolutely try to save it.”

Heinz said the buildings had steel-frame trusses and it wasn’t clear if those had been compromised by the heat.

Last year, the building at the corner of Depot and Ogden Street was purchased for $370,000 by an entity called Depot Development, which also includes David Dewhirst.

The developer has been an active player in the revitalization of that area. His company operates a wood shop and metal shop at the corner of Depot and Central Street, and it is also redeveloping the former White Lily building, at Central Street and Depot Avenue, into apartments.